Hair twist

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods for depending a hair accessory from hair. The apparatus may include a coil with one or more oblique termination surfaces. The surface may provide the accessory with contact with the hair. The surface may reduce the likelihood of the coil being urged away from the hair by a foreign object.

BACKGROUND

A hair accessory often depends from a hair lock. Friction between the accessory and the hair keeps the accessory in engagement with the lock. Close contact between the accessory and the hair may contribute to the engagement. Features of the accessory that interfere with or do not contribute to the contact may diminish the engagement.

It would be desirable, therefore, to provide apparatus and methods for depending a hair accessory from hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 7 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 8 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 9 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 10 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 11 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 12 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 13 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 14 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 15 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 16 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 17 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 18 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 19 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with the principles of the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Apparatus and methods for depending charms from hair are provided.

The apparatus may include a hair twist. The hair twist may include a flexible helical cord defining a spiraling axis and having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and an engagement loop formed in the first end. The coil may terminate at the second end at a termination surface.

At least a portion of the hair twist may be constructed from organic and/or inorganic materials. At least a portion of the hair twist may be constructed using injection molding. At least a portion of the hair twist may be constructed from clay polymers, plastic, metal, rubber, ceramic, sintered materials or any suitable materials. Exemplary suitable materials may include materials with elastic, resilient material. At least a portion of the hair twist may be constructed from metal that is covered or coated with an elastic, resilient material.

The termination surface may allow the coil to lie against the scalp at an angle that conforms to the angle at which the hair depends from the scalp.

The termination surface reduces the likelihood that the second send be inadvertently engaged be an object moving near the hair. The inadvertent engagement can reduce contact between the hair twist and the hair and thus diminish engagement of the hair twist by the hair. The termination surface may be substantially planar. The termination surface may be tapered down to a point. The termination surface may be tapered down to a rounded surface. The termination surface may be oblique to the axis. The termination surface may have any other suitable contour that

The hair twist may include at the second end, when the termination surface is a first termination surface, a second termination surface that is oblique to the axis and to the first termination surface.

The first and second termination surfaces may intersect to form a ridge. The ridge may intersect the axis.

The cord may have a diameter that defines a cross-sectional area normal to the axis; and the termination surface may have an area that is greater than the cross-sectional area.

The hair twist may include a charm support loop engaged to the engagement loop. The engagement loop may be engaged with one or more charms. The engagement loop may be engageable and disengageable (for example, a snap link) such that a user can engage and disengage one or more charms with the hair twist. The charms may be engageable and disengageable (for example, a snap link) such that the user can engage and disengage one or more charms. The hair twist may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 or more charms. One or more of the charms may depend directly from the charm support loop. One or more of the charms may depend from another charm. A charm may include an engagement feature from which to depend another charm. The engagement feature may connect charms that depend from different hair twists.

A charm may include a light source. The light source may emit light of one or more wavelengths. A charm may include a radio frequency receiver that receives a signal encoded to illuminate the charm using a particular wavelength.

FIG. 1 shows illustrative portion of hair accessory 101. The hair accessory may include an elongated member.

FIG. 1 shows hair accessory 101 with two-tone color schemes 109. FIG. 1 shows hair accessory 101 with solid color scheme 111.

The accessory may include a length. The length may be a first length (illustrated as L1). The length may include a helical portion.

The accessory may include charm 103. Charm 103 may be circular shaped. The accessory may include charm 105.

The accessory may include a second length (illustrated as L2). The second length may be an O-shaped portion of the accessory. The second length may be of unitary construction with the first length. The second length may be of monolithic construction with the first length.

The first portion of the length may be a helical portion.

The member may be tubular shaped. The member may be helically shaped. The member may be both helically and tubular shaped.

One or both of charms 103 and 105 may be affixed to the O-shaped portion of the member. Charms 103 and/or 105 may be affixed to the O-shaped portion via connector 107. The connector may be a metal O-ring.

Connector 113 may be embedded in charm 103. Connector 113 may be used to affix charm 103 to connector 107.

FIG. 2 shows illustrative close up views of exemplary charms 201, 203 and 205. Any or all of charms 201, 203 and 205 may be coupled with charm 217.

Any or all of charms 201, 203, 205 and 217 may be affixed to the O-shaped portion of the member. Charms 201, 203, 205 and 217 may be affixed to the O-shaped portion via connector 207. The connector may be a metal O-ring.

Connector 213 may be embedded in charms 201, 203, 205 or 207. Connector 213 may include one or more features of connector 113. Connector 213 may be used to affix charms 201, 203, 205 and/or 217 to connector 207.

FIG. 2 shows a hair accessory with two-tone color scheme 215. FIG. 2 also shows hair accessories having three-tone color scheme 227.

FIG. 3 shows illustrative charms 401, 403 and 405. One or more of charms 401, 403 and 405 may be coupled with charm 407.

FIG. 4 shows illustrative charm 403 coupled with connector 501. Connector 501 may be affixed to connector 503. Charm 403 may be a feather. Charm 403 may include one or more color schemes.

Charm 403 may be inserted into connector 503. Charm 403 may be inserted into connector 501.

Connector 503 may be attached to O-shaped member 505. Connector 503 may include one or more features of connector 207.

FIG. 5 shows illustrative perspective view of illustrative hair twists. The hair twists may include solid or two-tone color schemes. The hair twists may include a helically shaped portion. The hair twist may include an “O” shaped portion. The hair twists may include one or more charms affixed to the “O” shaped portion. The “O” shape portion may be oval or elliptically shaped. The “O” shaped portion may include any suitable shape that allows a charm to be affixed to the hair twist. The “O” shaped portion and the helical portion may be of unitary construction. The “O” shaped portion and the helically shaped portion may be one piece of solid material.

FIG. 5 also shows that a hair twist may include two or more charms. Each hair twist shown in FIG. 5 may include charm 601.

Hair twists may include a themed color schemes, and may include themed charms that may be associated with an exemplary religious holiday. Hair twists may include an auxiliary charm.

Hair twists may include an exemplary color schemes and may include themed charms that may be associated with acronyms. Exemplary acronyms may be based on “text slang” used when composing and sending text messages from a mobile device. Hair twists may include an auxiliary charm.

An “O” shaped members and connectors may be affixed to the charms of the hair twists. Hair twists may have illustrative charms having an animal theme, a shape that corresponds to the theme depicted on the charm, a picture of cats, “cat ears.” Hair twists may have a red and yellow two tone color scheme, a pink, purple and red three tone color scheme, or a pink, purple and red three tone color scheme.

The color of a charm may include one or more colors used in a color theme of a hair twist. A picture depicted on charm may be associated with a color theme of a hair twists. A shape of a charm may be associated with a picture depicted on the charm. A color theme of a hair twist may be associated with a picture depicted on a charm affixed to the hair twist.

The color of a charm may include one or more colors used in a color theme on a helical portion of a hair twist. A picture depicted on charm may be associated with a color theme on a helical portion of a hair twist. A shape of a charm may be associated with a picture depicted on the charm. A color theme on a helical portion of a hair twist may be associated with a picture depicted on a charm affixed to the hair twist.

There may be an auxiliary charm. The auxiliary charm may be purple. The auxiliary charm may include a shape that depicts a silhouette. The silhouette may represent a girl depicted on a picture on the charm. The picture may include a picture of a girl with her hands on her hips. The auxiliary charm may include a picture of a one or more illustrative hair twists. The one or more hair twists may be shown affixed to hair.

The back of a charm may include markings different from markings shown on the front of the charm.

FIG. 6 shows an illustrative hair twist that includes an exemplary perspective view of an auxiliary charm and a feather charm. FIG. 6 also shows an illustrative joint between an “O” shaped portion of the hair twist and a helical portion of the hair twist. FIG. 6 shows that an auxiliary charm may include extension 1801. The extension may be circular. The extension may be used to affix the auxiliary charm a connector such as connector 107 (shown in FIG. 1).

An illustrative hair twist may include an auxiliary charm and a feather charm with a joint between an “O” shaped portion of the hair twist and a helical portion of the hair twist. An extension for affixing the auxiliary charm to a connector may be included.

A hair twist may include an illustrative charm. The charm includes a shape that corresponds to outline of an object depicted by markings on the charm. The charm includes markings that depict a tree and the charm has an outline of the depicted tree.

Or the charm includes markings that depict “Santa Claus” and the charm has a shape corresponding an outline of the depicted Santa Claus. Or the charm includes markings that depict a “ginger bread man” and the charm has a shape corresponding to an outline of the depicted ginger bread man.

Or the charm includes an illustrative letters “LOL.” The letters “LOL” may represent the phrase “laugh out loud.” The letters “LOL” may be exemplary “texting slang.” The letters “LOL” are on a base. The base may be oval.

Or the charm may include an illustrative letters “BFF.” The letters “BFF” may represent phrase such as “best friends forever.” The letters “BFF” are a base. The base may be oval. FIG. 28 shows an illustrative thickness of the letters “BFF.”

Or the charm may include illustrative markings that depict a kitten on a pedestal. Or the charm may include illustrative markings that depict a face of a kitten, including “ears” that correspond to the face of the kitten.

Or the charm may include illustrative markings that depict a “present.” The charm may have a shape that corresponds to an outline of the depicted “present.”

Or the charm includes illustrative markings that depict a “bunch of balloons.” The charm may have a shape that corresponds to an outline of the depicted “bunch of balloons.”

FIG. 7 shows illustrative color schemes for a hair twist. FIG. 7 shows illustrative marking for charms that may be affixed to a portion the hair twist.

FIG. 8 shows an illustrative use for a hair twist.

FIG. 9 shows illustrative packaging for hair twists. The packing shows an illustrative “feathers” theme. The hair twist included in the packaging shown in FIG. 9 may include one or more charms shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 shows exemplary end 5601 of an illustrative hair accessory. End 5601 may a portion of a hair accessory that is closest to a hair line of a wearer of the hair accessory. Illustrative wearers are shown in FIG. 8.

End 5601 may be formed by cutting body portion 5603 of a hair accessory. Body portion 5603 may be tubular. End 5601 may be formed by pinching or crimping body portion 5603. End 5601 may be formed by cutting body portion 5603 at angle α. Angle α may be oblique to axis L1. Axis L1 may be a spiraling axis of body portion 5603.

End 5601 may be configured to provide a surface that contours to a lock of hair of a wearer. End 5601 may be configured to reduce abrasion to a scalp of a wearer. End 5601 may include intersection 5605. At intersection 5605 end 5601 may meet an exterior of body portion 5603. Intersection 5603 may be rounded. Intersection 5603 may be configured to reduce abrasion to a scalp of a wearer.

FIG. 11 shows exemplary end 5701 of an illustrative hair accessory. End 5701 may be a portion of a hair accessory that is configured to be positioned, closer than any other portion of a hair accessory, to a hair line of a wearer of the hair accessory. Illustrative wearers are shown in FIG. 8.

End 5701 may be formed by cutting body portion 5703 of a hair accessory. Body portion 5703 may be tubular. End 5701 may be formed by pinching or crimping body portion 5703. End 5701 may be formed by cutting body portion 5703 at angle β. Angle β may be oblique to axis L2. Axis L2 may be a spiraling axis of body portion 5703.

End 5701 may be configured to provide a surface that contours to a lock of hair of a wearer. End 5701 may be configured to reduce abrasion to a scalp of a wearer. End 5701 may include intersection 5705. At intersection 5705 end 5701 may intersect an exterior of body portion 5703. Intersection 5703 may be rounded. Intersection 5703 may be configured to reduce abrasion to a scalp of a wearer.

End 5701 may include intersection 5707. At intersection 5707 end 5701 may intersect an exterior of body portion 5703. At intersection 5707 end 5701 may be configured to be substantially parallel to axis L2. Intersection 5707 may be configured to lay substantially flush with a lock of hair held within body portion 5703.

FIG. 12 shows exemplary end 5801 of an illustrative hair accessory. End 5801 may be a portion of a hair accessory that is configured to be positioned, closer than any other portion of a hair accessory, to a hair line of a wearer of the hair accessory. Illustrative wearers are shown in FIG. 8.

End 5801 may be formed by cutting body portion 5803 of a hair accessory. End 5801 may be formed by pinching or crimping body portion 5803. Body portion 5803 may be tubular. End 5801 may be formed by cutting and/or crimping body portion 5803 at angle μ. Angle μ may be oblique to axis L3. Axis L3 may be a spiraling axis of body portion 5803.

End 5801 may be configured to provide a surface that contours to a lock of hair of a wearer. End 5801 may be configured to reduce abrasion to a scalp of a wearer. End 5801 may include intersection 5805. At intersection 5805 end 5801 may intersect an exterior of body portion 5803. Intersection 5803 may be substantially rounded. Intersection 5803 may be configured to reduce abrasion to a scalp of a wearer of a hair accessory.

End 5801 may include intersection 5807. At intersection 5807 end 5801 may intersect an exterior of body portion 5803. At intersection 5807 end 5801 may be configured to be substantially parallel to axis L3. Intersection 5807 may be configured to lay substantially flush with a lock of hair held within body portion 5803.

FIGS. 13-19 show illustrative views of an exemplary auxiliary charm.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the auxiliary charm. FIG. 14 is a top, front perspective view of the auxiliary charm. FIG. 15 is a rear view of the auxiliary charm. FIG. 16 is a left side view of the auxiliary charm. FIG. 17 is a right side view of the auxiliary charm. FIG. 18 is a top view of the auxiliary charm. FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the auxiliary charm.

Thus, apparatus and methods for depending a hair accessory from hair. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation.

The present invention is limited only by the claims that follow. 

1-6. (canceled)
 7. A hair twist comprising: a flexible helical coil defining a spiraling axis and having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and an engagement loop formed in the first end; wherein the coil terminates at the second end at a substantially planar termination surface that is oblique to the axis; and wherein the second end allows the coil to lie against the scalp of a user at an angle that conforms to the angle at which the hair depends from the scalp of the user.
 8. The hair twist of claim 7 further comprising at the second end, when the termination surface is a first termination surface, a second termination surface that is oblique to the axis and to the first termination surface.
 9. The hair twist of claim 8 wherein the first and second termination surfaces intersect to form a ridge.
 10. The hair twist of claim 9 wherein the ridge intersects the axis.
 11. The hair twist of claim 7 wherein: the cord has a diameter that defines a cross-sectional area normal to the axis; and the termination surface has an area that is greater than the cross-sectional area.
 12. The hair twist of claim 7 further comprising a charm support loop engaged to the engagement loop.
 13. The hair twist of claim 12, further comprising a charm engaged to the charm support loop.
 14. The hair twist of claim 13, wherein the charm further comprises a light.
 15. The hair twist of claim 14, wherein the charm further comprises a radio frequency receiver for receiving a signal encoded to illuminate the light.
 16. The hair twist of claim 12, wherein the charm comprises an auxiliary charm and a feather charm with an “O”-shaped joint connecting the auxiliary charm, the feather charm and the flexible helical coil.
 17. A hair twist comprising: a flexible tubular helical coil defining a spiraling axis and having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and an engagement loop formed in the first end; wherein the coil terminates at the second end formed by crimping the flexible tubular helical coil; and wherein the second end allows the coil to provide a surface that contours to a lock of hair of the wearer.
 18. The hair twist of claim 17 further comprising at the second end, when the termination surface is a first termination surface, a second termination surface that is oblique to the axis and to the first termination surface.
 19. The hair twist of claim 18 wherein the first and second termination surfaces intersect to form a ridge.
 20. The hair twist of claim 19 wherein the ridge intersects the axis.
 21. The hair twist of claim 17 wherein: the cord has a diameter that defines a cross-sectional area normal to the axis; and the termination surface has an area that is greater than the cross-sectional area.
 22. The hair twist of claim 17 further comprising a charm support loop engaged to the engagement loop.
 23. The hair twist of claim 22, further comprising a charm engaged to the charm support loop.
 24. The hair twist of claim 23, wherein the charm further comprises a light.
 25. The hair twist of claim 24, wherein the charm further comprises a radio frequency receiver for receiving a signal encoded to illuminate the light.
 26. The hair twist of claim 22, wherein the charm comprises an auxiliary charm and a feather charm with an “O”-shaped joint connecting the auxiliary charm, the feather charm and the flexible helical coil. 